‘The missile strikes were traumatic’

Metro Manila, Philippines - Neither fatigue nor work pushed Armando Naz to the limit, as it was the eyewitness account of airborne missiles traded by Israel and Iran and the resulting devastation.

Naz was among overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Israel who availed of the government’s program to escape the crossfire and return to the Philippines.

“Hindi biro ‘yong pagsabog,” he shared to the media after arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Tuesday evening, June 24.

“Malalakas talaga, nakaka-trauma sa araw-araw, kaya I decided magpa-repat di ko na rin sure ang kaligtasan ko dun,” the Filipino said.

[Translation: The missiles were no joke. It’s traumatizing every day, that’s why I decided to avail of repatriation because my safety was at stake.]

Twenty-five other Filipinos in the first batch of repatriates from Israel seemingly shared his sentiments. 

The group crossed over from Israel through King Hussein Bridge in Jordan. It headed to Doha, Qatar for a commercial flight bound for the Philippines.

The Filipinos expressed their gratitude to the government. “Hindi kami pinabayaan [We were not abandoned],” Naz said.

More severe

Naz has worked in the Middle East for over six years — from Saudi Arabia to a hotel in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Five months into his new employer, the Palestinian nationalist group Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The conflict between Israel and Hamas forced over a thousand of Filipinos to come home. The worst, however, was yet to come.

In less than two years on June 13, Iran launched missile strikes on Israel in retaliation to attacks on its nuclear facility sites. It was too much for Naz, describing it as the “worst conflict between two nations.”

“Sa loob ng isang araw, five, four alarms… Kahimbingan ng tulog mo mag-a-alarm, bababa na naman tapos aakyat ka nanaman,” he said.

“Kapag nakatira sa seventh floor then bababa sa shelter, pagod at puyat ang kalaban mo,” he said.

[Translation: In a day, there will be four or five alarms. The alarm will sound off in the middle of your sleep. You have to go down to the bomb shelter. If you live on the seventh floor, the transfer will be difficult. Fatigue and lack of sleep will be your enemies.]

The shaking, fear

As Israel and Iran clashed for 12 days, people sought safety in bomb shelters.

Naz said he would see compatriots shaking in fear. “Lahat natatakot sa kanilang kaligtasan [Everyone feared for their safety],” he said.

But there was a practical concern as well behind the hesitation to come home.

“Ang iniisip din nila ano ‘yong magiging buhay nila pagdating dito,” Naz said. “Para sa kanila, sinasabi nila sa akin, hindi sapat ‘yong binibigay ng government para sa kanila na panimula. Nagtitiis sila na mag-stay do’n kahit wala silang trabaho until now,” he said.

[Translation: They are thinking about their lives when they return to the Philippines. They believe the government assistance is insufficient for a reset. They endure to stay in Israel while waiting for available work.]

The Philippine embassy in Israel said 340 people have requested repatriation. Of this number, Naz and 25 others were the first. Another group of 50 and 20 others are next.

The government acknowledged that a number hesitate to take the flight home for practical reasons despite security risks.

“Kasi ‘yong mga rason nila trabaho, safety nila. We trust na pag sinabi nila hindi pa sila ready to land travel, we trust they assessed the situation,” said Overseas Workers Welfare Administration chief Patricia Yvonne Caunan.

[Translation: Their reasons include jobs and safety. We trust that if they say they are not yet ready to travel by land, we trust they assessed the situation.]

What’s next for Naz?

Meanwhile, Naz said he was glad to be home with loved ones who met him at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. They would proceed to Laguna.

The government handed to each one P150,000 in financial assistance, provided them free skills training vouchers and business training, and aid in establishing livelihood ventures or finding alternative employment opportunities.

Naz said a restart would cost more, but he will take the time to rest and enjoy family. Will he stay for good?

“I’m not decided yet sa ganyang situation. Gusto ko pa rin umalis pero sa ibang bansa naman siguro,” he told reporters.

[Translation: I’m not yet decided on that. But I would like to work abroad again, perhaps in a different country.]